{{short description|Australian theoretical quantum physicist|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use Australian English|date=December 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox scientist |name = Simon Devitt | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|unlinked=FRSN FAIP}} |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|7|17|df=y}} |birth_place = Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |death_date = |death_place = |citizenship = |birth_name = Simon John Devitt |fields = Physicist |workplaces = {{Plainlist| * University of Technology, Sydney * Macquarie University * Riken * Ochanomizu University * National Institute of Informatics }} |alma_mater = {{Plainlist| * University of Melbourne * Cambridge University }} |doctoral_advisor = Lloyd CL Hollenberg |known_for = {{Plainlist| * Quantum Computing * Quantum network * Quantum programming }} |thesis_title = Quantum information engineering: concepts to quantum technologies |signature = <!--(filename only)--> |footnotes = }}
'''Simon John Devitt''' {{post-nominals|unlinked=FRSN FAIP}} (born 17 July 1981) is an Australian theoretical quantum physicist who has worked on large-scale Quantum computing architectures, Quantum network systems design, Quantum programming development and Quantum error correction. In 2022 he was appointed as a member to Australia's National Quantum Advisory Committee.<ref>{{Cite news|title=National Quantum Advisory Committee to strengthen Australia's quantum industry|url=https://www.industry.gov.au/news/national-quantum-advisory-committee-strengthen-australias-quantum-industry|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>
==Education== Devitt received his BSc (Hons) in Physics from Melbourne University in 2004. He completed his PhD in physics under Lloyd Hollenberg at the Center for Quantum Computation (CQCT) at the University of Melbourne in 2008, with a thesis entitled ''Quantum information engineering: concepts to quantum technologies''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Quantum information engineering: concepts to quantum technologies|url=https://minerva-access.unimelb.edu.au/handle/11343/39351|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref> During his Ph.D, Devitt was awarded the Rae and Edith Bennett Travelling Scholarship at the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Cambridge, where he worked within the Centre for Quantum Computation, headed by Artur Ekert.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Centre for Quantum Computation|url=https://www.quantiki.org/research-group/centre-quantum-computation|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref>
==Career and research == Following his PhD, Devitt did postdoctoral research at the Japanese National Institute of Informatics in the group of Kae Nemoto, where he was promoted to assistant professor in 2011. Later, in 2014, he took a position of associate professor in physics at Ochanomizu University at the Leading Graduate School Promotion Center. In 2015 he took up a position as senior research scientist at the Japanese National Laboratories, Riken, in the Superconducting Quantum Simulation Research Team, headed by Jaw-Shen Tsai.
In 2017, he returned to Australia where he was appointed research fellow for the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) at Macquarie University and in 2018 he was appointed as lecturer in quantum architectures at the Center for Quantum Software and Information (QSI) at the University of Technology Sydney.<ref>{{Cite news|title=UTS|url=https://www.uts.edu.au/staff/simon.devitt|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref> In 2020 he was awarded the inaugural Warren prize<ref>{{Cite news|title=UTS quantum researcher receives Royal Society's Warren Prize|url=https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/our-research/centre-quantum-software-and-information/news/uts-quantum-researcher-receives-royal-societys-warren-prize|access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref> by the Royal Society of New South Wales for his service to quantum computing development and in 2021 he was elected fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales and the Australian Institute of Physics. In 2022 Devitt was appointed associate professor and research director of the Center for quantum software and information at UTS.
Devitt's research has focused on the design of practical large-scale systems architectures for quantum computing and communications system. He published the first architecture, in an atom-optical system, that utilised techniques in topological quantum error correction that could be conceptually scaled to an arbitrary number of encoded qubits.<ref> 11 August 2009 {{Cite journal| title=Architectural design for a topological cluster state quantum computer| doi=10.1088/1367-2630/11/8/083032| volume=11| issue= 83032| journal=New J. Phys.| page=1221|arxiv=0808.1782| year=2009| last1=Devitt| first1=S. J| last2=Fowler| first2=A. G| last3=Stephens| first3=A. M| last4=Greentree| first4=A. D| last5=Hollenberg| first5=L. C. L| last6=Munro| first6=W. J| last7=Nemoto| first7=K|author7-link= Kae Nemoto | bibcode=2009NJPh...11h3032D| s2cid=56195929}}</ref> In 2014, in collaboration with NTT Communications and TU Wien, he developed a design for a scalable system using the Nitrogen-vacancy center<ref> 4 August 2014 {{Cite journal| title=Photonic architecture for scalable quantum information processing in diamond| doi=10.1103/PhysRevX.4.031022| volume=4| issue=3| journal=Physical Review X| article-number=031022|arxiv=1309.4277| year=2014| last1=Nemoto| first1=K.|author1-link= Kae Nemoto | last2=Trupke| first2=M.| last3=Devitt| first3=S. J| last4=Stephens| first4=A. M| last5=Scharfenberger| first5=B| last6=Buczak| first6=K| last7=Nobauer| first7=T| last8=Everitt| first8=M. S| last9=Schmiedmayer| first9=J| last10=Munro| first10=W. J | bibcode=2014PhRvX...4c1022N| s2cid=118418371}}</ref> and in 2017 he developed a large-scale system design for Ion trap quantum computing in collaboration with the University of Sussex.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Blueprint for a microwave trapped ion quantum computer |journal=Science Advances|volume=3 |issue=2 |article-number=e1601540 |date=2017-02-01 |doi=10.1126/sciadv.1601540 |pmid=28164154 |pmc=5287699 |last1=Lekitsch|first1=B|last2=Weidt|first2=S|last3=Fowler|first3=A. G|last4=Mølmer|first4=K|last5=Devitt|first5=S. J|last6=Wunderlich|first6=C|last7=Hensinger|first7=W. K|bibcode=2017SciA....3E1540L|arxiv=1508.00420}}</ref> Devitt has also worked in the development of scalable Quantum networks, developing designs for what is now known as 2nd<ref> 29 August 2010 {{Cite journal| title=From quantum multiplexing to high-performance quantum networking| doi=10.1038/nphoton.2010.213| volume=4| issue=11| journal=Nature Photonics| pages=792–796|arxiv=0910.4038| year=2010| last1=Munro| first1=W. J| last2=Harrison| first2=K. A| last3=Stephens| first3=A. M| last4=Devitt| first4=S. J| last5=Nemoto| first5=K|author5-link= Kae Nemoto | bibcode=2010NaPho...4..792M| s2cid=119243884}}</ref> and 3rd<ref>14 October 2012 {{Cite journal| title=Quantum communication without the necessity of quantum memories| doi=10.1038/nphoton.2012.243| volume=6| issue=11| journal=Nature Photonics| pages=777–781|arxiv=1306.4137| year=2012| last1=Munro| first1=W. J| last2=Stephens| first2=A. M| last3=Devitt| first3=S. J| last4=Harrison| first4=K. A| last5=Nemoto| first5=K|author5-link= Kae Nemoto | bibcode=2012NaPho...6..777M| s2cid=5056130}}</ref> generation quantum repeaters and inventing, with scientists in Japan and Australia, a quantum version of Sneakernets.<ref>2 November 2016 {{Cite journal| title=High-speed quantum networking by ship| doi=10.1038/srep36163| pmid=27805001| pmc=5090252| volume=6| journal=Scientific Reports| article-number=36163|arxiv=1605.05709| year=2016| last1=Devitt| first1=S. J| last2=Greentree| first2=A. D| last3=Stephens| first3=A. M| last4=Van Meter| first4=R| bibcode=2016NatSR...636163D}}</ref>
Devitt's recent work has focused largely on developing a software framework for large-scale, error-corrected machines, including methods to map high-level quantum circuits to machine level instructions<ref>14 April 2017 {{Cite journal| title=Fault-tolerant, high-level quantum circuits: form, compilation and description| doi=10.1088/2058-9565/aa66eb| volume=2| issue=2| journal=Quantum Science and Technology| page=025003|arxiv=1509.02004| year=2017| last1=Paler| first1=A| last2=Polian| first2=I| last3=Nemoto| first3=K|author3-link= Kae Nemoto | last4=Devitt| first4=S. J| bibcode=2017QS&T....2b5003P| s2cid=118481140}}</ref> and how these error-corrected circuits need to be optimised to reduce the resource load on quantum computing hardware.<ref>11 September 2017{{Cite journal| title=Optimization of lattice surgery is NP-hard| doi=10.1038/s41534-017-0035-1| volume=3| issue=1| journal=npj Quantum Information| page=35|arxiv=1702.00591| year=2017| last1=Herr| first1=D| last2=Nori| first2=F| last3=Devitt| first3=S. J| bibcode=2017npjQI...3...35H| s2cid=52200775}}</ref>
In 2016, he established, with Jared Cole of RMIT University, the first consultancy specialising in quantum technology,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Quantum technologies and the launch of h-bar quantum consultants|url=http://www.h-bar.com.au/blog/2016/10/30/quantum-technologies-and-the-launch-of-h-bar-quantum-consultants|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref> which became a founding member of the Spanish based industry group, the Quantum World Association (QWA).<ref>{{Cite news|title=h-bar joins the Quantum world association as a founding member for Asia.|url=http://www.h-bar.com.au/blog/2017/2/25/h-bar-joint-the-quantum-world-association-as-the-founding-member-for-the-asian-region|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref>
He has worked with and advised several companies and government agencies worldwide on quantum technology development, is regularly featured in the popular press,<ref>{{Cite news|title=How to get ahead of the curve on quantum computing|url=https://www.afr.com/brand/boss/how-to-get-ahead-of-the-curve-on-quantum-computing-20171109-gzi1mj|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The quest for Quantum|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/the-quest-for-quantum/7395836|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=How Cargo Ships Full of Diamond Hard Drives Could Connect a Quantum Sneakernet|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-cargo-ships-full-of-diamond-hard-drives-could-connect-a-quantum-sneakernet/|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Quantum computer 'construction plan' drawn up|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38811255|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Gamers help solve quantum questions|url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/citizen-science-gamers-help-solve-quantum-questions-20160503-gokkoz.html|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref> and comments for outlets such as New Scientist and MIT Technology Review<ref>{{Cite news|title=Quantum simulator with 51 qubits is largest ever|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2141105-quantum-simulator-with-51-qubits-is-largest-ever/|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=This qubit redesign may make it easier to make quantum computers|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2146503-this-qubit-redesign-may-make-it-easier-to-make-quantum-computers/|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Google on track for quantum computer breakthrough by end of 2017|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2138373-google-on-track-for-quantum-computer-breakthrough-by-end-of-2017/|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Google's Quantum Dream May Be Just Around the Corner|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602283/googles-quantum-dream-may-be-just-around-the-corner/|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref> on developments in quantum technology research.
In 2016, Devitt created and hosts the ''Meet the meQuanics'' podcast,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Meet the meQuanics|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/meet-the-mequanics-quantum-computing-discussions/id1099431495?mt=2|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref> where scientists, industry leaders and students discuss issues related to the new quantum technology sector.
==Selected publications==
20 June 2013 {{Cite journal | title=Quantum error correction for beginners | doi=10.1088/0034-4885/76/7/076001 | pmid=23787909 | volume=76 | issue=7 | journal=Reports on Progress in Physics | article-number=076001|arxiv=0905.2794 | year=2013 | last1=Devitt | first1=S. J | last2=Munro | first2=W. J | last3=Nemoto|author3-link= Kae Nemoto | first3=K | bibcode=2013RPPh...76g6001D | s2cid=206021660 }}.
20 June 2016 {{Cite journal | title=The path to scalable distributed quantum computing | doi=10.1109/MC.2016.291 | volume=49 | issue=9 | journal=Computer | pages=31–42|arxiv=1605.06951 | year=2016 | last1=Van Meter | first1=R | last2=Devitt | first2=S.J | s2cid=118421039 }}.
20 September 2016 {{Cite journal | title=Programming quantum computers using 3-D puzzles, coffee cups, and doughnuts | doi=10.1145/2983545 | volume=23 | issue=1 | journal=XRDS: Crossroads, the ACM Magazine for Students | pages=45–50|arxiv=1609.06628 | year=2016 | last1=Devitt | first1=S. J | bibcode=2016arXiv160906628D | s2cid=12377031 }}.
1 February 2017 {{Cite journal | title=Blueprint for a microwave trapped ion quantum computer | doi=10.1126/sciadv.1601540 | pmid=28164154 | pmc=5287699 | volume=3 | issue=2 | journal=Science Advances | article-number=e1601540|arxiv=1609.06628 | year=2017 | last1=Lekitsch | first1=B | last2= Weidt | first2=S | last3=Fowler | first3=A. G | last4=Molmer | first4=K | last5=Devitt | first5=S. J | last6= Wunderlich | first6=C | last7= Hensinger | first7=W | bibcode=2017SciA....3E1540L }}.
7 December 2012 {{Cite journal | title=Surface code quantum computing by lattice surgery | doi=10.1088/1367-2630/14/12/123011 | volume=14 | issue=12 | journal=New J. Phys. | article-number=123011|arxiv=1111.4022 | year=2012 | last1=Horsman | first1=C | last2=Fowler | first2=A. G | last3=Devitt | first3=S. J | last4=Van Meter | first4=R | bibcode=2012NJPh...14l3011H | s2cid=119212756 }}.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.uts.edu.au/staff/simon.devitt Simon Devitt: Home page.] Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology, Sydney. * [http://www.h-bar.com.au h-bar: Quantum Consultants.]. {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devitt Simon J.}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Scientists from Adelaide Category:Academic staff of the University of Technology Sydney Category:University of Melbourne alumni Category:Academic staff of Ochanomizu University Category:Quantum physicists Category:21st-century Australian physicists Category:Theoretical physicists